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“It’s not blue. It’s not turquoise. It’s not lapis. It’s actually cerulean.” Miranda Priestly’s iconic monologue in The Devil Wears Prada forever changed how pop culture looked at a colour. Nearly two decades later, Chandigarh couple Ikrab and Nandini Ghai gave cerulean a new wedding moment.
After an 11-year love story, the two exchanged vows in matching shades of blue at a breathtaking lakeside Anand Karaj at Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain.
It was a wedding that was equal parts timeless romance and unapologetic fashion, culminating in a dazzling Met Gala-inspired reception that guests won’t soon forget.
Here, the couple shares the memories, decisions and little details that made their wedding iconic and uniquely theirs.
Their story began over a decade ago at a theatre academy, where Nandini first noticed Ikrab and was drawn to his infectious personality. “He was always making everyone laugh and was the life of the academy. There was something about him that felt completely different,” she recalls.
Their first date was as sweet as their relationship would eventually become. After a Model United Nations event, they slipped away for what was supposed to be a simple meal that soon turned into a candlelit dinner. They were still shy about dating, but one tiny detail has stayed with them ever since, the waiter had decorated their straws with tiny hearts.
Those quiet beginnings were followed by countless coffee dates around Chandigarh.
“We used to meet almost every day despite hectic school schedules, sometimes just for coffee and sometimes for lunch. Looking back, those are still some of our favourite memories because we always made time for each other,” Nandini shares.
Ikrab says that their friendship remains the foundation of their marriage.
He expresses, “We were best friends before we started dating, and nothing has changed. We’re still each other’s safe space. We can talk like we’re 15-year-old besties, make silly jokes and genuinely enjoy doing absolutely everything together.”
Although they wanted an intimate guest list, the couple never intended their wedding to be understated. “We wanted something elegant but fully OTT at the same time,” says Nandini.
That vision shaped everything, from the décor and entertainment to the fashion. She adds, “Our aesthetic was inspired by who we are as people. We love trying different things and going all out, so we wanted our wedding to feel different and just the right amount of extra.”
Planning, surprisingly, was one of the easiest parts of the journey.
Everyone knew their responsibilities, making the process smooth from start to finish. While Nandini focused on the overall mood, fashion and aesthetic of every celebration, Ikrab became the final decision-maker for almost everything else. “He was involved in food, décor, vendors, venues, artists, basically, everything had to go through his approval,” shares our bride.
The destination itself wasn’t one they had originally imagined. Their wedding planner, Meet Bhatia of Dreamzkraft, suggested Bahrain and the idea immediately stood out because it felt unexpected.
The moment they walked into Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, the search ended. Ikrab says, “We just knew this was where we had to get married. No other venue even came close after that.”
Fashion played an important role throughout the celebrations, but one outfit held particular significance. Years before getting engaged, the couple had already decided they would wear blue for their wedding ceremony.
They stayed true to that promise.
Nandini chose a blue Falguni Shane Peacock lehenga for the Anand Karaj, while Ikrab complemented her in a blue Manish Malhotra sherwani and matching turban.
Her wedding wardrobe also featured stylist Mohit Rai’s brand Itrh for the mehendi, Mac Duggal for the brunch, Mishru for the sangeet and a dramatic Nicol Sposa gown for their Met Gala-inspired reception. Meanwhile, Ikrab wore custom-made ensembles by Line by Shamim Khan for the remaining celebrations.
Among all the celebrations, their Anand Karaj remains closest to their hearts. Held beside a tranquil lake at Raffles Al Areen Palace, the ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of palm trees and flamingoes. Nandini recalls, “It was even more beautiful than we had imagined. The setting was so surreal that it’s difficult to put into words.”
If the Anand Karaj represented calm and intimacy, the reception embraced glamour in full force. Inspired by the Met Gala, it became the perfect finale to three days of celebrations that reflected the couple’s love for fashion, creativity and making a statement.
Some of the most emotional memories weren’t planned. Photography team Camlition Productions surprised the couple with a same-day edit that captured the entire wedding weekend. “It left all of us in tears. Watching those three days come together in six minutes was one of the biggest surprises of the wedding,” Nandini shares.
For Ikrab, the moment Nandini walked towards him remains unforgettable. He says, “I was instantly taken back to the first time I fell for her ten years ago. She looked absolutely beautiful.”
For Nandini, seeing Ikrab waiting for her was equally emotional. “He looked so handsome in his blue turban that matched my lehenga. I just couldn’t wait to marry him,” she expresses.
One quiet exchange during the ceremony became the memory she’ll treasure forever when Ikrab whispered sweet nothings in Nandini’s ears.
“During the wedding ceremony, Ikrab whispered ‘Forever and a day’ — something we’ve been saying to each other for the last ten years. That moment meant everything,” shares Nandini.
After eleven years together, marriage wasn’t about changing their relationship—it was about beginning another chapter of it.
“The wedding reminded us how much we genuinely enjoy experiencing life together. We’re each other’s calm in the chaos and biggest source of happiness,” shares the couple.
Looking around the room filled with their closest family and friends was another reminder of how fortunate they felt. “It was overwhelming in the best possible way,” says Nandini.
As for couples planning their own weddings, their advice is refreshingly simple.
“This phase goes by much faster than you imagine. Enjoy planning it together because it’s one of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever share,” chimes in Ikrab, signing off.